please help, sight removal!

[DjJStylz]

Is there something or a trick I'm missing to remove the tapered pins on the front sight. Ive been banging on these for 2 hours and not budged one bit! Im hitting from left to right. Looks like one has started to flatten from hitting them but not moving. Ive watched videos on how to do it but still not heloing. Please let me know if theres a trick to this.

[therealnickb]

If they won't heloing, try Tere Hanges. They should pop right out.

[ar15barrels]

The trick is to hit them hard enough in the first couple hits to pop them free.
If they are not out within 4-5 hits, they will flattten out and will be really troublesome to remove after that.
It sounds like you just learned a lesson...

I can press them out if you have managed to swage lock them into place.

[CRTguns]

First problem I see is the gun is not held rigidly enough. the rifle needs to be locked down so it cant bounce or twist when you whack the pin. And you'll need support directly beneath the sight.


use center drill and dimple the center of the pin... then with a shallow pointed punch, hit it like your life depends on it.

[h0use]

please help, sight removal!

You might have to put some heat on it. Or use am arbor press.

[DjJStylz]

I have it supported with a vise and a wood block below the sight. One looks flattened so that is gonna be a pain. Gonna get better punches in the morning.

[kendog4570]

Stop what you are doing. Listen to Randall. They are only going to get worse. I see you are in SJ, bring them by my shop in Aptos and I can get them ouit for you. I use a Kurt vise press designed by him.

[kcstott]

This reminds me of something I've notice with amateurs and anything mechanical.

They force thing that require finesse, and finesse things that require force

[Pauliedad]

For us amateurs, we need a cheat sheet.

Next time I cross that moment in the shop and am wondering finesse or force, I'm asking.

I've been shy to at times in fear of the whole "do you even know what you're doing?" response one can elicit but I'll man up and just start the question with "Force or Finesse?"

[Jon Road King]

If you are dead set to keep trying on your own, then...

First get your barrel solid for whackin'. If you don't have a front sight block, you can make one with a dremmel and a chunk of 2x4. Just take a look at the link and you get the idea of what you need to dremmel out of a 2x4 to give you a good solid base to whack on.

Second, make sure you are whackin' on the correct side. Those pins are tapered, so one side is larger than the other. Take a good look at the pins and make sure you are whackin' the SMALLER side.

Third, no baby whackin'. Square up and give that sucker a good solid whack. And don't use a nail. Get some punches from Harbor freight at least. No tapping, you need solid whackin'.

Fourth, if it still won't budge, then try tossing it in the freezer for a couple hours, then try it again when it is good and cold. Hopefully the pin will shrink just enough to break loose.

Last, if no luck, then take it to one of the shop offers above.

[kcstott]

For us amateurs, we need a cheat sheet.

Next time I cross that moment in the shop and am wondering finesse or force, I'm asking.

I've been shy to at times in fear of the whole "do you even know what you're doing?" response one can elicit but I'll man up and just start the question with "Force or Finesse?"

It never hurts to ask. And yeah you may even get that response from me, I hate to admit that but it usually comes after the guy has buggered something up he should have stopped a long time ago and asked for help.

Everyone's got to learn and start somewhere.

Don't let the local arse holes (me included) scare you off. See I'm Old school Ohio farm boy raised machinist turned toolmaker. So that means I'll take you under my wing teach you everything i know while yelling and cursing at you at the top of my lungs It's how I was taught

[DjJStylz]

So I decided to not make it worse, gonna wait and take it in somewhere monday. Just gotta find somewhere in the San Jose area. Anyone know a good place?

[kendog4570]

So I decided to not make it worse, gonna wait and take it in somewhere monday. Just gotta find somewhere in the San Jose area. Anyone know a good place?

Most shops in the South Bay are just going to beat on it like you have been doing, and/or take it in and I will pick it up sometime next week or so. If you want to make the trip over the hill I can get it apart with no more damage.
Once the pin mushrooms, troubles will snowball fast.

[wpage]

Torch it and hammer away...